Japan introduces rules to put outlandish baby names to bed
Guardian5 days
Japan Enforces New Rules to Limit 'Flashy' Baby Names
Above: A father is seen with his baby at Sensoji temple on April 26, 2025, in Tokyo, Japan. Image copyright: David Mareuil/Anadolu via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-government narrative
These naming restrictions are long overdue and necessary to prevent administrative chaos and protect children from ridicule. Schools, hospitals, and public services have struggled for years with unpronounceable names that create confusion and delays in essential services. Children with bizarre names like Prince and Devil have faced mockery and embarrassment, with some eventually changing their names to escape the burden their parents imposed on them.
Government-critical narrative
This government overreach tramples on parental rights and individual expression in a society already obsessed with conformity. Parents should have the freedom to choose creative names that reflect their hopes and dreams for their children, and these "flashy" names represent healthy individualism and uniqueness-seeking behavior that has grown over the past 40 years. The restrictions will create massive bureaucratic paperwork and stifle the natural evolution of language and naming practices.